Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-19
The Department of Agriculture j..

Upon a question which had called out
opposition like that made against the prop
osition to enlarge the Department Of Agri-
culture and to equip it equal to the other
departments, and with Cabinet Minister,
the vote in the House Of Representatives
on the 18th instant, when the bill was on
its passage, was significant. The vote as
recorded stands: Yeas, 1926; nays, &c /;
not voting g.. All the members from Vir
ginia voted for the bill except Mr.. Tucker,
who is recorded with those not voting
The Senate will hardly refuse its concur
renee with the House. If no other fact de-
monstrated the friendship of the President
for such measure, his last annual message
shows the interest he has in advancing
agriculture, and this movement is in con-
formity with the views of all who have
favored such progress.
Mr.. Hatch, of Missouri, the able Chair
man of the Committee on Agriculture, was
the patron of the bill, and, through its en-
tire consideration in Committee and in the
House, has been conspicuous in its advo-
cacy.
No government can allow it's industrial
interests to languish without having dis
aster to follow, where prosperity ought to
exist. When applying that theory as it
affects the stability and onward career of
our own, it should be with profound thank
fulness that We realize a purpose with those
entrusted with its conduct to render it
secure against all contingencies of danger,
as has been done in this movement by fos-
tering agriculture which maintains eight
tenths of its power and its strength with
the nations of the earth. This measure,
apart from the immediate purposes in view,
will prove stronger in cementing and bind
ing together all the people and their pur-
suits of our Union than any which could be
introduced. Our agriculture is not sectional,
and never caa be when guided by com
mon interest. In the language of Mr.. Har-
ris, of Georgia, an able champion Of the
bill, it is "the substratum of prosperity
throughout the length and breath of the
land"
The earnestness of the advocates of the
proposition, when it was on its final test of
strength, equaled their zeal and ability as
they defended it ard argued down oppo-
sitiou during its progress in the House of
representatives. Upon its constitutionality,
Washington and Madison aud other states
men engaged with them in establishing the
government, were quoted in it's favor. The
cheering prospect of future greatness, as a
prosperous agriculture would maintain it,
was contrasted with the neglect and failure
of the past to establish it in its proper asso-
Citations. In reply to the view taken by
Mr.. Breckenridge, Of Kentucky, when
speaking of the comparatively light duties
develving upon the head Of the department,
Mr. Hatch replied that it would grow into
the largest and most important Of the
Executive Departments of the Government.
When the agriculture Of the country can
have the advantages following the estab-
| ishment of department, upon the basis
proposed, then information and knowledge,
| practical and progressive, and essential to
its onward march. will be disseminated
The strength of the government will be &C
knowledged at home and abroad through
| the interest that was potential in its crea-
| tiop, and has been indispensable to its
growth and stability.